happy halloween

13 Horror Movies for Wimps

Not everyone has the temerity to withstand a horror movie. But at the same time . . . it’s fun to get a little bit spooked, right? So for the scaredy cats among us who want to merely dip their toes into terrifying water, without being forever haunted by creepy imagery—endlessly looking at you,The Haunting in Connecticut poster—here is a list of scary-but-not-too-scary flicks to try this Halloween season.

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari

Because nothing says horror like a 1920 German Expressionist film. This classic about a murderous hypnotist is inspiring now for its groundbreaking cinematography and sheer artfulness, more of a gorgeous film noir than a real horror story.

Photo: From Everett Collection.

Dracula

The original cinematic adaptation of Bram Stoker’s novel is a must-see for film fans. It’s the mother of all vampire movies, featuring an indelible performance by Bela Lugosi and some really lush cinematography. (This scene alone of Dracula’s wives awakening is a thing of pure beauty.) Plus, it’s from the 1930s—there’s no way it’ll scare you.

Photo: From Everett Collection.

Psycho

Ah, yet another classic that all film fans should have in their back pocket. The seminal Alfred Hitchcock thriller shocked audiences in 1960 with its jarring shower scene and ultimate plot twist, but it won’t horrify modern viewers the same way. Hitchcock was more about suspense than jump scares, even if Pyscho still gives you a healthy bout of chills.

Photo: From Paramount/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock.

Carrie

Speaking of old movies that aren’t scary-scary by modern standards, Brian De Palma’s adaptation of this Stephen King novel about a bullied high-school girl with a zealous mother is yet another standard-bearer that scared people at the time of its release. Now it’s got a sort of hokey 70s aesthetic that won’t spook viewers more accustomed to sophisticated special effects.

Photo: From United Artists/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock.

Paranorman

This stop-motion kids comedy is a joyful story about a boy who sees dead people. (For the scary version, go stream The Sixth Sense.) It’s more of a delightful coming-of-age tale with genuine laughs, and some spooky animated creatures for good measure.

Photo: From Focus Features/Everett Collection.

What We Do in the Shadows

Much like Shaun, this 2014 mockumentary flips a genre on its head, poking fun at the wild and sexy lore of vampires. Written and directed by New Zealand’s finest, Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi, who also star, the film is about a trio of vampires just living everyday life—splitting house chores, trying to get invited into nightclubs—which takes a turn when they have to take in a new 20-year-old vampire.

Photo: From Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock.

Get Out

Make no mistake: Jordan Peele’s excellent debut feature is a horror movie through and through, with highly unsettling twists and turns. But the horror doesn’t rely on twisted jump scares or unsightly violence; instead, it’s baked into the film’s brilliant social commentary on modern racism. And if that’s not enough, take it from another wimp—this is a horror hit you can candle.

Photo: From Universal/Everett Collection.

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari

Because nothing says horror like a 1920 German Expressionist film. This classic about a murderous hypnotist is inspiring now for its groundbreaking cinematography and sheer artfulness, more of a gorgeous film noir than a real horror story.

From Everett Collection.

Dracula

The original cinematic adaptation of Bram Stoker’s novel is a must-see for film fans. It’s the mother of all vampire movies, featuring an indelible performance by Bela Lugosi and some really lush cinematography. (This scene alone of Dracula’s wives awakening is a thing of pure beauty.) Plus, it’s from the 1930s—there’s no way it’ll scare you.

From Everett Collection.

Psycho

Ah, yet another classic that all film fans should have in their back pocket. The seminal Alfred Hitchcock thriller shocked audiences in 1960 with its jarring shower scene and ultimate plot twist, but it won’t horrify modern viewers the same way. Hitchcock was more about suspense than jump scares, even if Pyscho still gives you a healthy bout of chills.

From Paramount/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock.

Carrie

Speaking of old movies that aren’t scary-scary by modern standards, Brian De Palma’s adaptation of this Stephen King novel about a bullied high-school girl with a zealous mother is yet another standard-bearer that scared people at the time of its release. Now it’s got a sort of hokey 70s aesthetic that won’t spook viewers more accustomed to sophisticated special effects.

From United Artists/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock.

Poltergeist

Like many horror movies of decades past, Poltergeist, too, isn’t as scary as it once. But it still has some solid scary moments—do yourself a favor and squeeze your eyes shut when Martin Casella grabs his face in the bathroom scene—so save it for when you’re at your bravest.

From MGM/Everett Collection.

Gremlins

The kitschy 1984 horror-comedy is basically about Furbies from hell. Though it’s geared toward a younger audience, there’s some violence that kicked it up to a PG-13 viewing—but it’s still, at the end of the day, a fun little movie about people fighting goofy puppets.

From Warner Bros/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock.

The Lost Boys

At the heart of this vampire saga is an emo journey about two dorky teens (Corey Feldman and Corey Haim, the 80s dream duo) fending off a pack of too-cool vampires trying to turn one of their older brothers into a monster. There’s definitely some scary imagery throughout—mind tricks in which the head vampire (an ice-blond Kiefer Sutherland) turns rice into maggots, bloody feeding frenzies—but its youthful spirit, style, and comedy far outweighs the horror elements.

From Warner Bros/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock.

Silence of the Lambs

Silence is a perfect psychological thriller, a dive into the life of a green F.B.I. agent (Jodie Foster) who has to interview a captured cannibalistic serial murderer (Anthony Hopkins), then use that information to catch another killer on the loose. The Jonathan Demme classic is disturbing and suspenseful, but also so elegantly told that it won best picture at the 1992 Oscars. Certified wimps can totally handle this prestige project.

From Orion Pictures Corp/Everett Collection.

Zombieland

Speaking of zombie fare that’s more funny than scary, this 2009 adventure tale puts together a ragtag group of survivors in a world possessed by the walking dead. It’s like a spunky how-to guide for surviving a zombie apocalypse. And to prove its comedic lean, director Ruben Fleischer tapped a very famous comedian to come in for a perfect cameo—which we won’t spoil for any newcomers.

From Columbia Pictures/Everett Collection.

Shaun of the Dead

Edgar Wright’s kooky 2004 horror-comedy takes the piss out of the zombie genre. Be slightly warned: there’s a lot of blood and braaaains and hideous violence, but it’s so smart and jokey that the dread is balanced out.

From Rogue Pictures/Everett Collection.

Paranorman

This stop-motion kids comedy is a joyful story about a boy who sees dead people. (For the scary version, go stream The Sixth Sense.) It’s more of a delightful coming-of-age tale with genuine laughs, and some spooky animated creatures for good measure.

From Focus Features/Everett Collection.

What We Do in the Shadows

Much like Shaun, this 2014 mockumentary flips a genre on its head, poking fun at the wild and sexy lore of vampires. Written and directed by New Zealand’s finest, Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi, who also star, the film is about a trio of vampires just living everyday life—splitting house chores, trying to get invited into nightclubs—which takes a turn when they have to take in a new 20-year-old vampire.

From Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock.

Get Out

Make no mistake: Jordan Peele’s excellent debut feature is a horror movie through and through, with highly unsettling twists and turns. But the horror doesn’t rely on twisted jump scares or unsightly violence; instead, it’s baked into the film’s brilliant social commentary on modern racism. And if that’s not enough, take it from another wimp—this is a horror hit you can candle.